Netanyahu Moves to Dismiss Chief of Israel's Internal Security Agency

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on March 16 that he was seeking to dismiss the head of Israel's internal security agency, who swiftly called the move political and said the Premier expected "personal loyalty".

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JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on March 16 that he was seeking to dismiss the head of Israel's internal security agency, who swiftly called the move political and said the Premier expected "personal loyalty".

Mr. Netanyahu and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar have been engaged in a public spat in recent weeks over reforms to the agency, which has been accused of failing to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered war in Gaza.

At the same time, Shin Bet has been conducting an investigation into some of Mr. Netanyahu's aides for allegedly receiving payments from Qatar, even as the Gaza war raged, according to Israeli media reports.

"Due to ongoing lack of trust, I have decided to bring a proposal to the government to end the tenure of the Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar," Mr. Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, a critic of Mr. Netanyahu, said the Prime Minister's move is "unprecedented" and its legality needs to be assessed.

In a letter to Mr. Netanyahu, she said he cannot initiate the process "until the factual and legal foundation of your decision is fully clarified, and until the possibility of addressing the issue at this time is determined".